Three Who Began in Connecticut Now Seen As Among World's Most Influential

TIME magazine’s recent cover story highlighting “The World’s Most Influential People” included three with Connecticut roots – Josh Koskoff, listed among the “Innovators,” Jonathan Greenblatt, included among the “Titans,” and Russell Vought, included in the “Leaders” category.

The 100 were described as “individuals who are transforming the world,” including individuals from 32 countries ranging in age from 22 to 84.  The brief profiles on each of the 100 were written by TIME correspondents or individuals with well-known names from numerous fields of endeavor.

The profile of Koskoff was written by Connecticut U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, who pointed out that “when Josh agreed to help the families of Sandy Hook victims take on Remington, the company that manufactured and marketed the AR-15-style rifle used to murder 20 children and six adults in Newtown, Conn., he knew it would be an uphill battle.  But in 2022, his novel approach won a $73 million settlement for the families.”

Josh Koskoff represents the third generation of Koskoffs at prominent Connecticut law firm Koskoff Koskoff & Bieder, with offices in New Haven and Bridgeport. Known for his dedication, compassion, and creativity, he is described as bringing a fresh and unique perspective to all his cases. His corporate bio indicates that “like his father and grandfather, Josh believes strongly in the role of the lawyer as a fighter whose sole purpose is to improve his clients’ lives through the legal system. He views the law as working only when it works for all people and not just the powerful.”

Murphy notes that “Josh’s arguments – focused on corporate misconduct, not the Second Amendment – have become the model for holding the gun industry to account.”

Jonathan A. Greenblatt is the CEO of ADL (Anti-Defamation League) and as chief executive leads all aspects of what is widely considered to be the world’s leading anti-hate organization.  He is an accomplished entrepreneur and innovative leader with deep experience in the private, public and nonprofit sectors.

Since becoming CEO in July 2015, according to his bio, Greenblatt has modernized ADL while refocusing it on the mission it has had since its founding in 1913: to fight the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.  In 2022, Greenblatt released It Could Happen Here, a book that sounds an alarm, warning that hate and systemic violence is gathering momentum in the United States – and that violence on a more catastrophic scale could be just around the corner.

Before ADL, Greenblatt served in the White House as Special Assistant to President Obama and Director of the Office of Social Innovation. He came to that role after a long career in business. In 2002, he co-founded Ethos Brands, the business that launched Ethos Water, a premium bottled water that helps children around the world access clean water. Ethos was acquired by Starbucks Coffee Company in 2005. Following the acquisition, Jonathan was named VP of Global Consumer Products at Starbucks and joined the board of the Starbucks Foundation.

His TIME profile, written by political commentator Van Jones, explains that “Greenblatt has challenged antisemitism on both sides of the aisle, and maintained his commitment to civil rights.  In a moment that demands operational excellence and moral clarity, Greenblatt delivers both.”  In 2024, according to the profile, the ADL briefed 17,000 law-enforcement officers, analyzed 10 million extremist messages and processed 17,000 antisemitic incident reports, (helping) federal agencies and tech companies and providing education materials.”

Described as “an architect of (President) Trump’s shock-and-awe second -term agenda,” TIME senior correspondent Eric Cortellessa wrote of Russell Vought “many of the Administration’s most aggressive moves can be traced to Vought’s recommendations”  As director of the Office of Management and Budget, Vought is one of Trump’s closest advisors helping consolidate power within the Executive Branch … the intellectual lodestar of the revolution upending Washington.”